Messi's golazo helps Argentina save face against Mexico
ARLINGTON, Texas --
Lionel Messi scored on a spectacular 89th-minute volley, capping Argentina's comeback from a two-goal deficit in a 2-2 exhibition tie against Mexico on Tuesday night.
Sergio Aguero beat goalkeeper Moises Munoz in the 85th minute after Ezequiel Lavezzi kept the ball from rolling over the end line and cut it back.
Aguero then lofted a 25-yard pass over defender Oswaldo Alanis as Messi timed a burst into the penalty area. Messi let the ball bounce off his chest into the air and then, while falling, poked a 7-yard shot past Munoz at the near post.
With 49 international goals, Messi moved within seven of tying Argentina's record, set by Gabriel Batistuta from 1991 to 2002.
Before a pro-Mexico crowd of 82,559, the teams dealt with a temporary grass field filled with brown streaks and divots.
Javier Hernandez put El Tri ahead with a penalty kick in the 19th minute after Nicolas Otamendi took down Israel Jimenez. Hector Herrera doubled the lead in the 70th minute with a shot that went in off goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman.
Mexico was preparing for an Oct. 10 playoff against the United States that will determine the region's representative at the 2017 Confederations Cup. Argentina opens World Cup qualifying next month against Ecuador.
Earlier, Munoz made a diving stop on a 25-yard free kick by Messi, the four-time FIFA player of the year. Messi played the entire match after entering in the 65th minute of Friday's 7-0 win over Bolivia in Houston and scoring twice.
